CHAPTER 2

'Kiera, wake up!' I begin fidgeting in my sleep. I open my eyes slowly but widely to see Kimberly hovering over me.

'Kimberly get lost.'

'Kiera wake up,' she replies instead of leaving me in peace. I groan in frustration and anger as I attempt to push her off the bed. She holds my legs still preventing me of any further movements. 'Kiera, you promised!' That's all it takes for me to get up from my warm cosy bed.

'I'm sorry,' I quickly apologise.

'It's fine.'

'I forgot.'

'I know and it is fine,' she replies. I rub my eyes and look at her outfit to see that she is already dressed. She is wearing pink shorts along with a white top and her hair is braided coming down her right shoulder.

'I'm going to go and get ready,' I mutter and she nods her head, sitting on my bed. 

I pick an outfit and walk out of my room. I clean myself up in the bathroom and take a quick warm shower before getting dressed. I dress myself in a black mini skirt along with a black blouse. I towel dry my hair before pulling it into a high messy bun.

I walk back to my room to see Kimberly texting on her phone. I grab my own phone from the dresser and shout 'let's go.' successfully getting her attention. She follows me out of the room and we head downstairs. I see Aunt Rachel sitting in the kitchen so I walk towards her and say 'good morning.'

'Morning Kiera,' she replies and I begin making myself a cup of tea. 'Kimberly told me where you two are going and I don't want either of you to beat yourselves up about it. If it gets too hard for any of you, then I want you both to come home. And you have my number if any of you need me.'

'Thanks, we will.'

'You're welcome,' she replies smiling as she leaves the room. I sip my tea and Kimberly groans  before saying 'you're taking for ever Kiera.'

'Shut up Kimberly,' she rolls her eyes before leaving the kitchen. 

Ten minutes and an empty tea cup later, I go to the living room to get Kimberly. 'I'm ready now so come on.'

'Ten years later,' I give her a stern look but I don't bother replying to her statement.

'Is it going to be just us?'

'Yes, I asked the others and they either said "it's too hard" or "I'll go another time." It's actually pathetic.'

'Well, we don't need them do we?' I ask causing her to smirk and shake her head. We close the front door shut and walk our familiar way to the local shop. We walk towards the last row where all the flowers are and she asks 'which one?'

'The red one because that was her favourite wasn't it?' She nods her head before picking it out. We take it to the till. Nick, the shop keeper knows us both so he is friendlier and likes starting conversations with us. 'Who is the lucky guy Kimberly?'

'What?' She asks annoyed. 'You're holding red tulips.’ She scoffs loudly before throwing on the counter and walking out of the shop. He looks at me and I can't help but say 'she's just extra moody today.'

'No worries,' he laughs. 'That will be £5.99.' I hand him a ten pound note. He puts the change in my hand and I take the tulips before leaving. I don't have pockets so I give the change to Kimberly who puts it in her pocket.

'Are you okay?'

'Fine,' she replies a little too quickly.

'Sure,' I sarcastically mutter. She glares at me walking too fast. I shake my head at her immature actions and don't bother catching up to her. 

After walking for ten minutes, we finally stand before our grandmother's gravestone. Carefully, I sit crossed legged in front of it and place the red tulips amongst the other flowers. I trace the large letters which read "RIP" with my fingers softly. Afraid that I'll damage it. 

'Grandma, I'm home' I call out as I come home from school. 'Grandma?' I call but receive no answer. I look in every single room before realising that I have come to an empty house. I sigh softly before sitting in the living room. I can tell that something is wrong because my grandma is always here, ready to greet me.

I get my phone out of my pocket to see if my grandma had texted. I smile widely as I notice that she has but the smile disappears once I read her text.

Hello Kiera, this is Jon, your grandmother’s doctor and she has been transmitted into hospital. I have tried calling your phone but it was switched off. Your grandmother wants you to get down to the hospital as soon as possible. -Jon.

My hands begin shaking violently and as a result, my phone falls out of my hands. I stare at it, wondering if this is a dream or reality. How could this happen? I only came to live with her eight months ago. I pick up my phone and turn it over. The message is still there. I can't help the loud sob that escapes my lips.

I drive to the hospital and sprint towards the reception. Before I can ask for my grandma, I hear my name being called out by Kimberly. 'Kiera!'

'Kimberly!' I walk over to her and she greets me with a large hug.

'Grandma's room is this way,' she states dragging me along with her. We walk into a room where my grandma is alone, I look at Kimberly who says 'everyone went to give her some space,' I nod my head as I walk into the room.

'Grandma I'm sorry, I only got your message now,' I say gently wrapping my arms around her neck.

'It's okay Kiera, you're here now.''

'I'm sorry I wasn't here sooner.'

'Kiera, stop apologising, it is okay,' she tells me sternly. I sit on the chair to her left side and Kimberly sits opposite me. She takes hold of both of our hands and Kimberly begins crying. I give a confused look because grandma will be okay. I've already lost my mum; I'm not going to lose my grandma as well. 'Kiera.'

'Yes grandma?'

'The doctor told me I have a brain tumour, the same one your mother had-'

'What?' I cut her off shocked.

'Let her finish,' Kimberly demands and I become quiet, looking at my grandma, waiting for her to continue.

'It's too late honey there is nothing they can do.'

'What? No they can give you medication and-'

'Kiera, none of this will help my situation. It's going to be my time soon,' I begin sobbing non-stop as I can't fight back the tears any longer. 'Kiera, it is going to be all right.'

'No it isn't, how can it be? You've already lost hope,' I say through my sobs. She let's go of Kimberly's hand and brings her hand over to our joined hands.

'It still will be okay Kiera.' I shake my head because I know it won't. 'Kiera, I need you to calm yourself down,' my sobs become worse instead of the opposite.

'Gran, I can just tell her,' Kimberly says.

'Would you?'

'Of course gran,' she replies hugging her before pulling me out of the room. We sit on the waiting room chairs and Kimberly holds my hand, waiting for me to calm down. Kelly and Kelsey walk towards us asking 'why aren't you with Nan?' Kelly asks.

'I insisted that I'd tell her but only once she calms down.'

'So she doesn't know?' Interrupts Kelsey. Kimberly shakes her head and they both sigh loudly. Kelly puts her hand in her blonde hair, her green eyes turning a darker shade.

'She needs to know Kimberly.'

'I know and I'll tell her, I can't exactly tell her once she's like this can I?' Kimberly coldly says motioning towards me.

'We're going to gran,' Kelsey says, pulling Kelly with her. 

'What don't I know?' I look at Kimberly who hesitates.

'I'll tell you once you're calmer.'

'Kimberly, clearly everyone knows so you might as well tell me.'

'Okay,' she pauses, putting her hands in her hair. 'The doctor, Jon thinks that the brain tumours are genetic.'

'What? Why are you only telling me now?' She puts her hands in the air and says 'don't interrupt me!'

'Fine, continue.'

'They want to get us all tested. The adults have been tested and they're fine. Then there is you, me, Kelly and Kelsey.' For a moment, my heart stops beating. I take a deep breath and ask 'when do we get tested?'

'Today, it's just a blood test. We've all done it and I can come with you if you want,' she replies.

'Okay,' I hesitantly nod.

'Come on,' she holds her hand out for me to take and I slip mine into hers. She begins leading me into a room and knocks on a door before entering. 'Hi Jon, this is Kiera.'

'Hi Kiera, I'm-'

'Jon, I heard.' I cut him off finishing his sentence. He looks at me before saying 'okay, I'm going to give you a blood test then, is that okay?' I nod my head and he guides me into a seat, getting his equipments ready. Kimberly sits next to me and doesn't let go of our joined hands.

'Don't look,' she advises and I nod. Kimberly begins rambling, telling me a story of something that had happened to her recenty but I stopped listening half way.

Before I know it Jon announces 'all done.'

'That's it?' He chuckles and replies by saying 'yes, all done. You will get the results in about five-six weeks as it varies.' I nod my head, thanking him as we leave.

We walk back to our grandma's room and Kelly comes out sobbing. 'What's wrong?' Kimberly panics.

'She's gone.'

'What do you mean "she's gone?” Gone where?'

'Where do you think?' She questions angrily and Kimberly begins crying as she pulls her into a hug. 

I walk past them and into my grandma's room. I see Kelsey shaking my grandma's shoulders repeating 'wake up grandma, wake up,' in between her muffled sobs. Doctors and nurses rush in and her death is announced ten minutes later.

'You're thinking about that day aren't you?' Kimberly's voice makes me jump physically.

'Aren't you?' I question.

'I am but you're thinking about it even more.'

'I'm fine.'

'I never said you weren't,' she smiles as she sits down next to me. 'Why haven't you gotten your result yet?'

'And how would I know?' She sighs before muttering 'I was only asking.'

'I'm sorry,' I apologise for snapping. 'It’s just stressful that it’s only me who hasn't gotten my result yet.'

'I'm sorry,' she apologises and I insist 'it's fine.'

We look at the grave stone and none of us know what to say so we just hug one another, while sitting in front of it.

When we stand up to leave Kimberly says 'Bye grandma, we'll visit soon I promise. And I promise to bring Kelly and Kelsey next time as well. They were busy so unfortunately they couldn't make it. We love you grandma.' She rests her hand on the grave stone one last time before we walk away and back home.